E*TRADE Financial and Fidelity Investments have finally made their mobile applications available to Android users. Up until now, both programs have been compatible exclusively with iOS and Blackberry OS. Although I'm not much of a stock trader myself, these apps are big wins for enterprise customers who use Android devices. Both are very slick and easy to use. I should also mention that both of them have very quick load times.

Way back in July, Lookout released the results of a study on app security, and found that many apps have access to user data that they have no need for - suggesting that there was plenty of potential for illicit information use. Two months later, a group of researchers from Intel, Penn State, and Duke came forth with data showing just that: 15 of the 30 apps tested sent GPS data, 7 sent unique hardware information, and a few sent more private information such as phone and SIM numbers.

As exciting as seeing the Gingerbread keyboard leak out was, the fact remained that users stuck on Android 2.1 or below couldn't join in on the fun, and the same went for users of non-rooted devices.

Fortunately, the Android community rests not, and the keyboard has been neatly packaged into an APK and posted for all to see. Thanks to XDA-Developers member hotaru, both Éclair-running and non-rooted handsets can now access Google's latest input method.

This isn't nearly as exciting as that other thing that's just happened, but it's still fun - especially for those of us into cars and/or racing games. EA Mobile released NFS: Shift into the Market about 17 hours ago, and although it obviously packs a lot less than the PC/console version, if it's anywhere close, it should still be a blast to play. The official app description:

Big news from kernel-master toastcfh about an hour ago: WiMax (Sprint's 4G) is now working on CyanogenMod. This has long been one of the most heard complaints from CM fans with EVOs in particular (in fact, just about every time we post on CM, somebody comments about the lack of 4G). At the moment, details are light - for example, we don't know how long it's going to take to make it into a release, or if there's anything special involved.

Amazon has updated their Kindle for Android app to the ridiculously-numbered version 2.0.0.101810146. With the update comes a few notable new features:

Access to over 100 Kindle newspapers and magazines

"Move to SD Card" option

In-app purchases

Social network integration

Chapter titles now show in the reader status bar

Zoom for images

Volume rocker can function as page up/down

The app supports all versions of Android from 1.6 up. And don't forget - your purchases are linked by account, not device - meaning any books you purchase on your actual Kindle can be accessed in the Kindle app on your phone.

Last month at GSM 2010, NEC showed off a 7" touchscreen Android tablet. The company was marketing it towards businesses, and it's supposed to function mainly in the cloud - an interesting proposal. Unfortunately, it seems the execution is lackluster in just about every way. The specs are utter crap:

It's not the PlayStation-related Android announcement we were hoping Sony would make, but the Official PlayStation app is still (sort of) intriguing in and of itself. Version 1.0 of the app will be coming soon to both our beloved Android Market and the iOS App Store, though we here in the States will be left out of the fun initially. For those lucky enough to live in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, or the Netherlands, (the areas where the app will be available upon launch) here's what you have to look forward to:

Check out your PlayStation Network trophies and keep up to date with your friends’ games and online status.